"Everything turned out unexpectedly, but this is the football life," the attacking midfielder told reporters. "I got a nice offer after Anzhi changed their policy and, of course, I want to represent a team with ambitious aims."

Morocco international Boussoufa, meanwhile, has agreed to join Lokomotiv Moscow, becoming the first of Anzhi's foreign contingent to move on following last week's announcement by club owner Suleiman Kerimov that he had decided upon severe cost-cutting measures.

Speculation remains rife that Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, who is the top earner in world football, will also be sold before the close of the summer transfer window, with the former Inter ace said to be keen on a return to Serie A, with Napoli.